New Jersey (TDI): US President Donald Trump, on Sunday, criticized Russia for its continued attacks on Ukraine and said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might agree to give up Crimea as part of a peace deal to end the war.
The statement came after the US President met with President Zelenskyy in the Vatican Basilica. The leaders arrived in the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
Speaking to the reporters in New Jersey, the US President said that he was disappointed at Russia for continuing the attacks and stated that his meeting with the Ukrainian President had gone very well.
Answering the questions regarding Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that was seized by Russia in 2014, President Trump stated, “Oh, I think so, yeah. Look, Crimea was 12 years ago.” Then he criticized his predecessors, President Obama and President Joe Biden for handing over Crimea to Russia “without a shot being fired.”
“So, don’t talk to me about Crimea. Talk to Obama and Biden about Crimea. And remember, this is Biden’s war. This isn’t Trump’s war. I came in to try and solve a problem. And the problem is so many people are being killed,” he said.
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He expressed optimism at the progress of peace talks, on his Truth Social account, and stated that he thinks President Zelenskyy and President Putin should meet directly now.
He said, “A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to “finish it off.” Most of the major points are agreed upon. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”
However, it is important to note that the proposal brought forward by the US President to achieve peace in Ukraine called for not only recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea but also a de facto recognition of Moscow’s control over Ukrainian territories it had seized since February 2022.
Will Zelenskyy Give Up Crimea?
The counterproposal presented by President Zelenskyy and his European allies would defer detailed discussions regarding Crimea and other Ukrainian territories, annexed by Russia, until after the ceasefire is reached.
Talking about President Zelenskyy, the US President said, “I see him as calmer. I think he understands the picture, and I think he wants to make a deal.”
The remarks of President Trump regarding Ukraine’s agreeing to accept Crimea’s annexation are in stark contrast with his earlier comments on Truth Social, in which he criticized President Zelenskyy’s stance of not legally recognizing the occupation of Crimea.
“It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that make it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country. I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever.”
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He further commented, “The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the “killing field,” and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!”
Last week, President Zelenskyy gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal, in which he stated that Ukraine would not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. “There’s nothing to talk about here.”
Russia’s Response
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, responded to the criticisms in a pre-taped interview aired on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” and said that Russia would continue attacking the sites used by the Ukrainian military in the future.
Talking about the Russian strike on Kyiv, Lavrov stated that “the target attacked was not something absolutely civilian” and that Russia targets only “sites which are used by the military.”
Ukrainian President stated that his top military commanders have reported around 70 Russian strikes inside Ukraine’s territory on Sunday. The growing confrontation between Russia and Ukraine might hinder the progress towards peace. It would also lead to more frustration inside the Trump Administration.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio already warned Russia and Ukraine that the Trump Administration might abandon the efforts to broker a deal between Russia and Ukraine if they don’t make any progress.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, transatlantic geopolitics, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
